CHRISTIAN ACADEMY FOR LEADERSHIP STUDIES

DISPENSATIONALISM

Purpose of Study

  This subject helps the students to understand as to “How God revealed His plans and purpose in His word to human beings and how He dealt with human beings in history in order to fulfil His plan for the world”.

Definition of Dispensation

            Charles C. Ryrie says “A dispensation is a distinguishable economy in the outworking of God’s purpose” (Dispensationalism, p.28).

          A dispensation is a period of time during which man is tested in respect of obedience to some specific revelation of the will of God (The Scofield Reference Bible, p.5).

          Therefore dispensation involves three basic elements; responsibility or specific command, keeping of that responsibility and period in which that command is in full operation.

Biblical usage of the word Dispensation

                        The Greek word for dispensation is “Oikonomeo” which means “to manage the affairs of a house hold” (once used in Lk. 16 : 2).  There are also other related words as given below:

• Oikonomia refers to the office or function of a steward – (i.e. Stewardship)

         (Lk. 16 : 2,3,4 ; 1 Cori. 9 : 17 ; Eph. 1 : 10 ; 3 : 2, 9 ; Col. 1 : 25)

• Oikonomos referes to a person (Steward or Chamberlain or City treasurer 12 : 42; 16 : 1,3,8 ; Rom. 16 : 23 ; 1 Cor. 4 : 1,2 ; Gal.  4 : 2 ; Titus 1 : 7 ; 1 Pet. 4 : 10)

These words are also used in Septuagint (Greek Translation of Hebrew Bible) almost similar in their meanings (Ps. 112 : 5 ; Isa. 22 : 19,21 ; Gen. 43 : 19 ; 44 : 1)

Paul in his epistles also uses “Oikonomia” as Stewardship (1 Cor. 9 : 17) Dispensation (Eph. 1 : 10 ; 3 : 2) and truth connected with period (Eph. 3 : 9 ; Col. 1 : 25 ; Gal. 4 : 2)

Christ’s teaching concerning “Stewardship” arrangement

                   Christ taught some basic principles concerning Stewardship in Luke 12 : 42-49 and 16 : 1-13.

• Stewardship involves two parties ; a master and a servant (12 : 42 ; 16 : 1)
• A responsibility is on the part of the steward
• There is accountability on the part of the steward for the responsibility given (12 : 43 ; 16 : 2)
• There can be a change at any time in the arrangements (12 : 45-46 ; 16 : 2)

These principles are applied to dispensations; God (Master) gives responsibility to man (steward / servant) and requires accountability.  If the steward fails to give proper accounts, at a stipulated period, there will be a change in these arrangements.  However there are also other features in God’s dispensational scheme.

Paul’s teaching concerning stewardship arrangement

• Men are responsible to God (Tit. 1 : 7)
• Faithfulness is expected in a steward (1 Cor. 4 : 2)
• Stewardship may end at a stipulated time (Gal. 4 : 2)
• Dispensational stewardship is connected with the mysteries of God. A mystery (Greek –musterion) is revelation and plan kept in the mind of God and is revealed at a certain later time (1 Cor. 4 : 1 ; Eph. 3 : 2,3,9 ; Col. 1 : 25,26).
• Dispensation and period (Age) are connected but the ideas are not interchangeable. A period (Age) would end but the stewardship of light (truth revealed) may continue on to the next period (Age).  Therefore period (Age) deals with time, while the dispensation concerns with the area of truth of that period (Eph. 3 : 9 ; Col. 1 : 25 ; Gal. 4 : 2).

Seven Dispensations of the Bible

              There are totally seven dispensations in the Bible.  Among those seven, Paul has mentioned three dispensations in his epistles.  In Ephesians 1 : 10, Paul mentions  “the dispensation of the fulness of times”, “The fulness of times” refers to the last dispensation (Kingdom).  In Ephesians 3 : 2, he mentions “the dispensation of the grace of God” which refers to “dispensation of Grace”.  In Colossians 1 : 25, 26 He also mentions “the mystery which hath been hid from ages  and from generations”.  In this verse, the word “ages” probably refers to previous dispensations particularly “the dispensation of the Law” which was before the present dispensation.  Therefore Paul certainly mentions three dispensations; dispensation of Law; the dispensation of Grace and the dispensation of Kingdom.

              Since, Paul mentions plural word “ages” while refering to the dispensation of Law, he certainly postulates that there are more than one dispensation before the Law.  Therefore it is well derived from the scripture that there were certainly four dispensations before the Law.  In this manner, there were four dispensation before Moses and three dispensations after him; altogether seven dispensations.

              The order of seven dispensations

                        Now the world is undergoing in the Sixth dispensation of Grace.  This dispensation will come to the end at the Rapture of the church.  After this dispensation, the dispensation of Kingdom will begin.  It will end with Great White Throne Judgement.  In this manner all seven dispensations will come to the end.  Then the eternity of future will begin (Rev. 21 : 1-5).

Necessity and Importance of Dispensation

                   Dispensation scheme is the direct result of literal interpretation of the Bible.  Since many teachings and doctrinal questions concerning Bible are prevailing among Christians, Dispensational scheme is important in order to answer to such questions.  Dispensational teaching is necessary as to know the distinction between Israel (Nation) and the body of Christ (New Testament Church).  If the distinction between Israel and Church is not maintained, there would be confusion concerning the Bible and it’s teaching.

(Example) Every Jew must circumcise the foreskin of male child and observe Sabath, according to the law of Moses, whereas  New Testament Church believers are exempted from practising circumcision and observing Sabath.   Christian can worship God on Sunday (First day of Jewish week),  since Christ’s resurrection took place on Sunday.  If it is possible, Christians can worship God every day as early Christians did (Acts 2 : 46, 47).  In this manner, Dispensationalism helps to make the difference and distinction between Israel and Church.

Relation and Distinction between each Dispensation

                   There are a few relations and distinctions between each dispensations.  For example, God in the dispensation of Innocence gave   commands to Adam to subdue every creature (Gen. 1 : 28) and to keep (maintain) the earth (2 : 15).  These principles continue and they are being followed by men even in this dispensation of grace.  However, the command “not to eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Gen. 2 : 17) is not continuing today.  Nobody knows what fruit is it.  This example helps us to understand that on the one hand, some responsibilities (commands) given in one dispensation might continue in the following dispensations; on the other, a few responsibilities given only for that particular dispensation may not continue in the next dispensation.

                   It is good to give one more example to explain the distinction and relation between dispensations.  Conscience which was the rule of life and practice during the dispensation of conscience, is continuing even in this dispensation (Rom. 2 : 14, 15).  However the command given to Noah to build the Ark is not continuing today.  Command to build the ark was only for that dispensation but the operating principle of conscience is   continuing in all dispensations.  Therefore, every dispensation has got some peculiar responsibilities and principles while they have some related continuing principles.

Common Characteristics of Dispensation

                   There are some common characteristics for every dispensations.  Such characteristics are divided into two categories; primary and secondary characteristics.

A. Primary Characteristics

1. Revelation of God : God, in every dispensaton, reveals His will through revelation as   a command or a responsibility to man.

2. The governing relationship between God and all people of the world or a group of people of the world (Israel).

God reveals His will in each dispensation for man.  He also expects man to administer victoriously His revealed will.  God as the master expects man (as steward) to fulfill His will for man.  Therefore the relationship of Master and servant is in operation between God and man.

3. Human Responsibility

Since man has got the responsibility, he has to fulfill it in accordance with God’s will and guidance.  (Ex.) God commanded Noah to build the ark of gopher wood (Gen. 6 : 14).  He could have built the ark with any other wood, but he did it of gopher wood in accordance with God’s command (7 : 5).

B.  Secondary Characteristics

                   Primary characteristics are certainly present and indispensable for every dispensation.  Secondary characteristics are obviously present in every dispensations, although they are not compulsory for dispensational scheme.  Those Secondary characteristics are Test, Failure and Judgement.

1. Test : God tests man in every dispensation by giving responsibility. The test is identical with human responsibility of that dispensation.  God expects man to overcome the test by fulfilling the responsibility.

1. Failure : Failure in man is visible as a part of each dispensation, although failure is not a necessary aspect of a dispensation. Some suggest there was no failure in the dispensation of promise.  But Abraham failed by going into Egypt (Gen. 12 : 10-11).

Man’s failure includes two aspects such as Governmental and Redemptive.  In Governmental aspect, man failed to discharge his responsibility given by God.  In redemptive aspect, a great majority failed to believe God.

• Judgement : Since men fail in the test given by God, judgement is the natural outcome of God’s justice.

God’s Revelational plan in Dispensational Scheme

                   “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

                   Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son . . . “ (Heb. 1 : 1,2).  These two verses give sheer idea that God gradually revealed His will and plan for man in each dispensation.  This gradual revelational plan of God is called “Progressive Revelational Plan”.  In this Progressive Revelational Plan, God Specifically revealed His Will and Plan that is necessary for that particular dispensation.  In following dispensation, God revealed more than what He has already revealed in the previous dispensation.  Hence, every following dispensation received better revelational light of God’s plan than previous dispensation.

(Ex. ) God revealed more to Noah than what He had revealed to Adam.  Likewise, God revealed further revelation of His plan to Abraham, who therefore understood God’s plan better than Noah did.  This system of progressive revelation is  given in the following diagram.

Diagram of Progressive Revelation

Analytical Study of Dispensation

                   Since God , in the history of mankind, administer rules the world through seven dispensations,  We shall now look into each dispensations.

1. Dispensation of Innocence

The explanation of the term Innocence 

                    Innocence was the state of Adam and Eve before they committed sin.  In this state of innocence, they had a kind of holiness which sometimes called unconfirmed creaturely holiness.  This unconfirmed creaturely holiness is meant to “holy nature”.  Adam and Eve had this holy nature but not   “holy character”.  This holy character comes by experience to man.

The Extent

                     The dispensation of innocence extended from creation to the fall (Gen. 1 : 1 – 3 : 24).  It is very difficult to ascertain the length of this period.  It was probably a short period from a few days to   few years.  Because God would have given a few days in which Adam had to  pass the test and through which he must receive the holy character.  Since Adam had to get as early as possible  the holy character,   the period of innocence might be very short either a few days or weeks.

                   It is generally believed that Adam was created by God, most probably about 4004 B.C.  He might have fallen in sin at the same year.  Therefore the period of innocence extended from the creation to the fall, and this dispensation was obviously a short period.

Revelations of God to Adam

• command to fill the earth (Gen. 1 : 28)
• command to subdue the earth (1 : 28)
• command to rule over the animals
• command to have a vegetable diet (1 : 29, 30)
• command to cultivate the garden (2 : 15)
• command to abstain from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (2 : 17)

Test

                    God intended this test that Adam might pass and that Adam should get into holy character from holy nature.  So that God could confirm to Adam the holy character instead of holy nature.  The test was that Adam and Eve should not eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  This fruit   itself was not bad, since God saw that every thing was good (Gen. 1 : 25).  Therefore, the fruit was sinless but the act of disobedience became sin and caused the fall of Adam.

Responsibility of man

                   Man was to obey God by keeping all the commands and thus develop a holy character.

Failure of man

                   Adam failed in his responsibility and in the test given by God.  He ate the forbidden fruit.  This was an act of rebellion against God who created him.  By this rebellion, not only Adam failed, but also he became sinner.  Thus he could not get holy character which God intended for him.

Result

                   Adam and his posterity became sinners.  They by their disobedience got the   sin nature instead of holy nature.  Thus  through them the whole world fell into sin.

Judgement

• Adam, Eve, Serpent and land were cursed (Gen. 3 : 14-19)
• Physical death entered in humanity through spiritual death (Gen. 3 : 19); Finally eternal death for those who are unsaved.
• Adam and Eve were sent out from Eden (Gen. 3 : 24)
• God closed the way to the tree of life (Gen. 3 : 22-24)

Continuing Principles

• the command to fill the earth
• the command to subdue the earth and its creatures
• the command to maintain a vegetarian diet (This command continued even in second dispensation. Man was not allowed to eat meat until after the flood) (Gen. 9 : 3,4).

2. Dispensation of Conscience

The explanation of the term conscience

                   Adam had conscience even before his fall in the first dispensations.  However this second dispensation is called dispensation of conscience.  Because God who dealt directly with man in the first dispensation began His dealing with man through conscience of man in the second dispensation.  Hence conscience, in the Second dispensation  became operating principle.  God’s rule in this economy (Dispensation) was internal through conscience.  Since conscience is judicial, it functions according to the standard given to it.  There was no outside restriction to govern man.

                   In this economy, the spirit of God pleads (contend) with man (Gen. 6 : 3).  In this manner, the Spirit of God internally deals in the conscience of every individual.  Therefore this dispensations is called so.

The extent (Gen. 3 : 15-24 to Gen. 8 : 19)

                   This economy (Dispensation) of conscience extended from the fall of Adam to the flood of Noah (Years 4003 BC – 2349 ? BC)

Revelations of God in this dispensation

• Promise of victorious seed (Gen. 3 : 15 ; Heb. 2 : 14, 1 Jn. 3 : 8 ; Rev. 12 : 1-5)
• Animal’s blood sacrificed for the atonment of sin (Gen 4 : 4,5)
• Prophecy of Enoch (Jude 14, 15) [Although Enoch prophesied, his prophecy was not recorded in the book of Genesis. However Jude, in the New Testament recorded it under inspiration of the Holy Spirit].

Test and Responsibility of Man

                   Man had to obey and observe the principles, given by God   and practice them in life in accordance with his conscience.  He had to bring an acceptable blood sacrifice, trusting the promise of Genesis 3 : 15.

Failures

• Cain failed to bring a pleasing offering to God.

(Ex.) God gave the coats of skin to Adam and Eve after their fall.  Those coats were made from skin of the animal which was sacrificed by God for the sin of Adam (Gen.  3 : 21).  Based on this principle, Adam and his children must offer animal sacrifices for their sin.  Knowing this principle given by God, Abel “brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof” (Gen. 4 : 4).  Abel obviously brought the animals to sacrifice for his sin.  God therefore accepted Abel’s offering.

On the contrary, Cain knowingly brought of the fruit (Gen. 4 : 3).  He, in his conscience, knew the principle of offering sacrifice for the atonment of sin.  Since He did against God’s expressed and revealed will,  God rejected Cain’s offering.  Cain’s conscience also did pricking him.  Cain’s own guilt resulted in the murder of his brother Abel (Gen. 4 : 5-8).

• Man in guilty conscience murdered another man (Gen. 4 : 8)
• Rising of a godless civilization (Gen. 4 : 17-24)
• (Godless technology VV : 17, 20-27; Sensuality VV 19,22 ; Brutality VV 23, 24)
• Intermarriage of the Godly and the ungodly (Gen. 6 : 1-2)
• Wickedness of man and violence increased (Gen. 6 : 5,11)

Judgement

                   The most wicked and ungodly generations of the period of Noah were destroyed by the great flood (Gen. 7, 8).

Continuing Principles

                   The dispensation of God’s direct dealing with man’s conscience was over (Gen.6 : 3). However conscience functions in man throughout all   dispensations  (Rom. 2 : 14,15).

3. The Dispensation of Human Government

Explanation of the term Human Government

                   God who dealt through conscience of every individual in the previous economy (Dispensation) began his rule over humanity through governmental system.  In the governmental system, God appointed a man or a leader to people group, Society.  Thus God introduced external, judicial restraints through man in the collective sense.

The extent (Gen. 8 : 20 – 11 : 32)

                   This dispensation began after the great flood (Noah) and ended with the call of Abraham.  It is generally believed that Abraham entered into Cannan in 2090 BC.  Therefore this dispensation began in 2349 BC and ended in 2090 (Totally 259 Years approximately).

Revelations of God in this dispensation

• The fear of man placed on animals and birds (Gen. 9 : 2).
• The permission to man to eat flesh (9 : 3,4)
• The institution of capital punishment (9:6).
• The God’s promise of no more Universal flood as in the time of Noah (9: 8-17)

Note :  Water stored in the canopy of water poured in the earth during the flood (Gen. 7 : 11).  Hence there was a great change in the climatic condition of the earth.  This change of climate caused man to be affected by the direct rays of the Sun.  God permitted man to eat flesh to prevail over this change of climate.

Responsibility of Man

                   Man was to rule the earth on behalf of God.  Man was to protect the sanctity of human life by orderly rule.  Man should not kill another man, since man was created in the image of God.  Man must protect nature and environment.

Failure

• Noah became drunk and lost his self control. A leader who had to rule others lost his own sensibilities (Gen. 9 : 21).
• Instead of scattering over the earth and filling it and ruling for God, man tried to build a monalithic, one-world system by building tower of Babel (Gen. 11 : 1-9).

Judgement

                   The judgement on this dispensation was the confusion of tongues and the scattering of the people at the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11 : 7-9).

Continuing Principles

• Human government (Civil Government) system continues in the nations of the world. It includes the power  for the ultimate restraint of capital punishment (Act.           17 : 26,27 ; 25 : 11 ; Rom. 13 : 1-7 ; 1 Pet. 2 : 13,14).

4.       The Dispensation of Promise

The Explanation of the term Promise

                        This name is given to this dispensation, since God gave   unconditional promise to Abraham.  The unconditional promise distinguishes this dispensation from others (Heb. 6 : 15 ; 11 : 9 ; Gal. 3 : 17).

The Extent

                   The dispensation of Promise began from the call of Abraham (Abraham’s enterance in Canaan) and ended when God gave the law to Moses at Mt. Sinai.  The scripture portion from Genesis 12 : 1 – 10  to Exodus 19 come under this dispensation.  Approximate years are 645 years from 2090 BC to 1445 BC.

Revelation of God to Abraham

• Blessing to Abraham and his seed (Gen. 12 : 2 ; 13 : 16 ; 15 : 13 ; 17 : 2,6)
• Promised land with defined boundaries (Gen. 12 : 1 ; 13 : 14,15,17 ; 15 : 18-21).
• Universal blessing through his seed (Gen. 12 : 2,3).

Responsibility of Abraham and his promised descendants

                   God gave responsibilities to all people of the world in the previous dispensations.  But God gave specific responsibilities only to Abraham and his discendants in this dispensation.  He gave the following four responsibilities.

• Believe the promise given to Abraham (Gen. 15 : 6)
• Perform the rite of circumcision, which is the sign of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen. 17 : 10-14, 23)
• Stay only within the boundaries of promised land (Gen. 26 : 1-5, CF 12 : 7).
• Maintain separated from the nations (Gen. 26 : 4, 34, 35 ; 27 : 46 ; 28 :  1-4)

Failure

                   Abraham went into Egypt instead of trusting God, when the promised land reeled in  famine (Gen. 12 : 9,10).  Isaac (Gen. 26) and Jacob (Gen. 27) failed as well, by doing the things that did not please God.   Jacob went into Egypt to see his son Joseph and stayed there.  Knowing that God had warned Isaac his father not to go to Egypt, (Gen. 26 : 1-5),  Jacob went to Egypt and stayed.

                   When the Israalites lived in Egypt for nearly 430 years, they learnt the evil ways and false worship systems.  They did not honour   God of their fathers (Lev. 17 : 7 ; Josh. 24 : 14 , Ezek. 20 : 7).

The Judgement

                   Since Jacob went and stayed in Egypt, his descendants suffered and were under bondage for more than four hundred years (Gen. 15 : 12-14, Exo. 1 : 8-14).

The Continuing Principles

                   The promises, given by God to Abraham in this dispensation of promise, continue and they will be fulfilled in the future.  Paul clearly states this idea in Galations 3 : 17 that the giving of the Law did not disannul the promise.

5. The Dispensation of Law

The explanation of the term Law

                   God delivered the people of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, and led them to the promised land under the leadership of Moses.  On the way to promised land, God gave the law at Mt. Sinai, in order to instruct them as to how they should   live in the promised land.  This instruction is called the Law.  God desired to rule Israelites through this Law.  This law includes Governance, Religious rites and  moral and social law.  Therefore the law is also the constitution to the nation of Israel.

The Extent

                   This dispensation began in Exodus 19 and ended in Acts Chapter one.  Approximately 1475 years are from 1445 BC to 30 AD.  This period can be further classified into various subdivisions as the following:

(i)      From deliverance of Egyptian bondage to Malachi

• Possessing Canaan after deliverance from Egypt
• Period of Judges
• Period of Kings
• Babylonian captivity
• Rebuilding of Jerusalem Temple after returning from Babylonian captivity

(ii)     From Malachi to the birth of Jesus Christ

• four hundred years without prophecy (Inter Testament Period)
• the birth of John, the Baptist (Probably 5 BC)

(iii)    From the birth of Christ  (4 BC) to the day of Pentecost (30 AD)

• Ministry of Jesus
• Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
• Ascension of Jesus Christ

These are the important historical events which happend during this dispensation.

Revelation of God through Moses

• Ten commandment and related commands and laws

(When Deuteronomy 5 : 2,3 and Galations 3 : 17 are compared, it can be understood that the dispensations of promise and of law are different.)

Responsibilities of the people of Israel

                   They should precisely observe each precepts of the Law.  They should not do them as a mere religious rite, but observe them with faith in God.  They should offer sacrifices as well (Lev. 18 : 5, Deut. 27 : 26 ; Gal. 3 : 10 ; James 2 : 10).  The law was a way of life for the covenant community (Israel Nation).

Failures

                   In this dispensation, the people of Israel miserably failed in every aspect of the Law.  They, in their climatic failure under the economy of Law, crucified the Lord Jesus Christ.  Their failures can be briefly listed in the following way.

• Every one did what was right in his own eyes, instead of doing what is stated in the Law (Jud. 21 : 25).
• They rejected God’s rule (Theocracy) and demanded monarchy (1 Sam. 8 : 4-8).
• Kings misruled the nation and they did not listen to warning of Prophets (Jer. 36)
• Priests too offered defiled sacrifices (Mal. 1 : 6-8)
• People violated the Law (Mal. 3 : 7-9)
• Jews finally crucified Christ, after 450 years of their returning from Babylon (Mt. 27 : 35).

As listed above, the people of Israel including Kings, Priests failed during the dispensation of Law.  False prophets persecuted the true prophets of God.  In this manner, the entire nation of Israel failed.  Moreover Roman rulers also played   important role in crucifying Christ.  Hence the nation of Israel as well as the Romans, representing the world, failed before God in doing the right (Rom.     10 : 1-3).

Judgements

• Assyrian captivity of Northern Kingdom as well as Babylonian captivity of Southern Kingdom (Jer. 25 : 11,12)
• The ultimate judgement was God’s rejection of the nation, the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, Roman general of Vespasian, the Roman Emperor and the subsequent dispersion in 70 AD
• Universal Kingdom of Israel was postponed

The Continuing Principles

                   Although the Law was meant only for Israel, the Principles of the Law are applicable even today.  God wanted people of Israel to be holy before Him (Lev. 11 : 45).  As well, He desires the people of the world must be holy before Him even today.  The holy life always brings blessings.

6. The Dispensation of Grace

The Explanation of the term Grace

                   God is gracious in every dispensation, since grace is one of His attribute.  He will be so forever.  However, fullness of grace is revealed in Christ (Jn. 1 : 17).  Salvation is by grace (Eph. 2 : 7, 8).  Man without offering any animal sacrifice is saved by faith in Christ.  Salvation in Christ is by grace.  Thus this dispensation is called the dispensation of grace.  This is also called church dispensation for grace is operative in church.

The Extent

                   This dispensation began on the day of Pentecost on which the New Testament Church had its beginning (30 AD).  From that day till today, this period is continuing for nearly 2000 years.  This dispensation will come to the end on the day of rapture.  Therefore it is very difficult to fix the date for the ending of this dispensation.  Because Christ may come at any time.  God has kept the day of Christ’s coming in secret.

New Revelation through Apostles

• Jews and Gentiles are saved by grace (Eph. 2 : 7, 8) and form the NEW Man in Christ (Eph. 2 : 15). This truth was hidden in the previous dispensations; Thus this hidden truth is called “mystery” (Eph. 3 : 9). In this dispensation this mystery is revealed.
• Jesus is the new and living way (Heb. 10 : 20).

Responsibility of Man

• Salvation is only in Christ (Acts. 4 : 12 ; 16 : 31). Every one must believe Jesus as his only Saviour in order to be saved.  The saved will become a member of the church the body of Christ, by baptism of Holy Spirit (1 Cor.      12 : 13)
• All the saved must become the member of a local church (Act. 2 : 41, 42)
• Believers must proclaim the gospel (1 Cor. 15 : 1-5) to the whole world (Mt. 28 : 18-20)

Failures

                   Many people reject Christ and do not believe Him as their only Saviour (Rom. 1 : 18-32).

Judgement

                   Those who do not believe Christ as their only Saviour will be left at rapture in Christ coming and they will suffer during the great tribulation (2 Thes. 2 : 6-12).  They will finally be cast in to hell fire and suffer as well.

The continuing principle

                   Christ will be preached both as Saviour and King.  The gospel will be preached even during Kingdom. 

7. The Dispensation of the Kingdom

The Explanation of the term Kingdom

                   The economy (dispensation) of  “the fulness of time” (Eph. 1 : 10) is properly named the Kingdom because Jesus Christ, the King will be on the earth in person and He will be ruling the world from the throne of David (Rev. 20 : 6).

The Extent

                   This dispensation will begin after the glorious appearing of Christ at His second coming.  Since His glorious coming, He will reign for one thousand years.  His thousand years ruling is technically called Millennium.  He will reign in the earth until the last enemy is destroyed and the eternal Kingdom is established (1 Cor. 15 : 24, 25).

Revelation from God in this Dispensation        

• The Lord will reveal the new revelation (Isa. 2 : 2-3)
• Jews as well as people of the earth will experience the outpourig of the Holy Spirit. Jews will prophesy (Joel. 2 : 28)
• God will make the new covenant with the people of Israel (Jere. 31 : 31 – 34)

Special feature of this dispensation

                   All the unfulfilled prophecies of previous dispensations will be fulfilled at this dispensation.

Responsibilities of man

                   All the people will be responsible to obey the King and they should bring due honour to the King as well (Rev. 19 : 16).

The failure

                   A great multitude will join with Satan when he will be released at the end of millennium.   They will oppose the King of Kings (Rev. 20 : 7, 8).

The Judgement

                   Flaming fire will come out of heaven and will consume the rebels who join with Satan to oppose God (Rev. 20 : 9).

The Continuing Principle

                   Jesus Christ will reign even after great white throne judgement.  The eternity future will continue with the ruling of the eternal King Christ (Rev. 22 : 1,3,5 ; 1 Cor. 15 : 28).

Assignment

Write what you have understood concerning seven dispensations.

Basic sources :

                   Dispensation, DBTS, USA.

                   Dispensationalism ; Charles C. Ryrie.

                   Scofield Reference Bible

                   Willmington’s Guide to the Bible.

                   Truth To Know, Dr. S. J. Chellathurai.